Green living: Blobfish

Freaks of Nature Thursdays: Blob Monsters from the Deep

Blobfish
The mealy-mouthed blobfish (Psychrolutes marcidus) is an ominous presence in the very deepest waters off the Australian and Tasmanian shores. It has no muscles and makes a living floating slightly above the ocean floor and consuming matter that happens to float past its mouth. It gelatinous body remains buoyant thanks to a density only slightly more than that of the waters it calls home.

Green living: Sea pig

Green living: Sea Pig

Sea Pig
The unfortunately named sea pig is an Echinoderm that also lives on the ocean floor. A kind of sea cucumber, the sea pig siphons edible organic matter from the ocean floor. The ugly cousin of other echinoderms such as starfish and anemones, sea pigs are surprisingly common.

Green living: Ping Pong Tree Sponge

Green living: Ping Pong Tree Sponge

Ping Pong Tree Sponge
Living almost a mile and a half under the ocean, ping pong tree sponges look quite pretty actually, but don’t be fooled; these disco denizens of the deep are actually flesh-eating monsters. As small shrimp and other crustaceans settle on the spheres, they get stuck and the sponge which, having no stomach, slowly melts them with digestive juices and sucks in the resultant nutrients.

Green living: Dumbo Octopus

Green living: Dumbo Octopus

Dumbo Octopus
Here’s a sweet little ending to a rather disturbing post. The Dumbo octopus has two little fins on the side of its head that look like ears. Living up to 7 000 meters, Dumbos also like the ocean floor where they feed on worms and small crustaceans. And just to end off on an positive note, how about a video of Dumbo Octopus Ballet?

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About

Nikki is an author and writer specializing in green living ideas and tips, adventure travel, upcycling, and all things eco-friendly. She's traveled the globe, swum with sharks and been bitten by a lion (fact). She lives in a tiny town with a fat cat and a very bad dog.

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